Why Empty Nesters Need to Keep Planning and Dreaming

Why Empty Nesters Need to Keep Planning and Dreaming Relationships Spouses & Partners Print Why Empty Nesters Need to Keep Planning and Dreaming By Sharon Greenthal linkedin Sharon Greenthal is a writer and editor who specializes in parenting, midlife, empty nesting, and marriage.   Learn about our editorial policy Sharon Greenthal Updated on February 23, 2020 Getty More in Relationships Spouses & Partners Marital Problems LGBTQ Violence and Abuse The day your last child leaves home, whether for college, a job, a marriage or any other reason, is as big of a change in the life of a parent as it was when you welcomed your first baby into your home. The way you think about yourself and the priorities you have â€" being a parent and putting your children first â€" is no longer who you are or how you need to think about your life. Empty nesting is the end of a phase of your life, but its also an exciting new beginning. Planning for the Future Its possible that you are looking at your empty nest and feeling sad and depressed, missing your children terribly and wishing you could go back and do it all over again. Instead of wishing for what was, its time to start planning and dreaming of whats to come. If you are a new empty nester, give yourself time to adjust and feel the loss of your day-to-day joy of raising your children â€" but start to think about what you would like to do next.   Many empty nesters dont know where to begin to fill the time they had devoted to the care of their children. A good place to start is to look back to when you were a child and what you enjoyed doing for play. Maybe you loved to draw or spent hours creating colorful images in coloring books. Perhaps you were always first in line to audition for a school play. You may have loved to play kickball or tennis. You may have created elaborate tales about your dolls or stuffed animals. Why not revisit those activities and pick up a paintbrush, volunteer at a local theater, take a few tennis lessons, or write a short story? Getting out Into the World   Parenting requires a great amount of time spent in and around the home and community. Youve now moved on from being scheduled and committed every day. Now is a great time to get out and see the world. You can now go on long-imagined trips without worrying about childcare. Vacations no longer need to be taken with your kids school responsibilities in mind. Weekends, which can seem empty and endless without childrens activities to attend or plan for can now be a time to explore local areas that you havent visited before, or take a day trip somewhere youve always wanted to see.   Downsizing Planning for the future as an empty nester can seem overwhelming and impossible to imagine. Your big family home can become a museum of your past without some changes. You may be interested in downsizing, or you may just want to freshen up your decor a bit. Either way, the process of reimagining your living space is not only exciting but also a great way to shift your thinking from the life of a parent to the life of an empty nester. If nothing else, you should close your kids bedroom doors for a while and practice walking past them without feeling blue. Downsizing is a wonderful way to not only let go of some of the pain of empty nesting by leaving the family home and living someplace new, but it also can free up finances to allow you to pursue other interests. You may want to buy an RV or a sailboat, or you may just want to put money away for your retirement. Whatever you want to do, its exciting to be able to plan for what you want to happen, not what your children need. Before we have children we imagine what our lives will be like while we are raising our families. We know there is a timeline of events â€" from infancy to toddlerhood, pre-school to elementary school, middle school to high school to college. Many of us â€" most of us â€" dont see life past that when thinking about the future â€" but theres still a lot of time and a lot of possibilities ahead of us. Life after raising kids can be as fulfilling, exciting and happy as you want it to be - it takes a little dreaming and a little planning to make it happen. Positive Aspects of Being an Empty Nester

Unraveling the Mystery of Capitalizing French Titles

First of all, you wouldnt put lumià ¨re (light) in all caps, as we did in the subhead above, just to make a point. There are, indeed, rules to follow, and you shouldnt capitalize French titles willy-nilly. English speakers should understand that the capitalization of titles and names in French and English exhibit several differences, all of which involve words that are capitalized in English but not in French. This means there is, by and large, less capitalization in French than there is in English.   In English, the first word of a proper title and all subsequent words, except short articles, conjunctions and prepositions, are capitalized. The rules are more complicated in French, and the table below examines three schools of thought regarding French capitalization of titles and names*.   Standard Capitalization In French, capitalization depends on the position and the grammatical function of the words in the title. The first word is always capitalized. If the first word is an article or other  determiner, the first noun and any adjectives that precede it are capitalized, like this: Trois Contes Un Cur simple Le Petit Robert Le Nouveau Petit Robert Le Bon Usage Le Progrs de la civilisation au XXe sicle If the title consists of two words or phrases of equal value, they are considered co-titles and each one is capitalized according to the above rules, as in: Guerre et Paix Julie ou La Nouvelle Hà ©loà ¯se This system  is used in Le Petit Robert, Le Quid, and throughout the Dictionnaire de citations franà §aises. Le Bon Usage, considered the bible of French grammar,  briefly discusses an inconsistency in the capitalization of titles. It does not mention the system above, but it does list the systems in 2. and 3. below. Important-Noun  Capitalization In this system, the first word and any important nouns are capitalized, like this: Trois Contes Un Cur simple Le petit Robert Le nouveau petit Robert Le bon Usage Le Progrs de la Civilisation au XXe sicle Le Bon Usage  states that system 2. is more common than 3. and uses it in its own bibliography. Sentence Capitalization In this system, only the first word of the title is capitalized (except proper nouns, which are always capitalized). Trois contes Un cur simple Le petit Robert Le nouveau petit Robert Le bon usage Le progrs de la civilisation au XXe sicle A number of websites use this system, crediting it either to the MLA Handbook  or to normes ISO  (norms of the International Organization for Standardization).  It is difficult to find any official online documentation for either of these sources. If you look at the spines of a few dozen French books, you will see capitalization is split about 50-50 between Important Noun Capitalization and Sentence Capitalization.   In the end, what will probably work best is to  decide which system works best for you, and stick with it consistently.   Proper nouns, as we mentioned above, are not affected by these capitalization systems; they always follow their own rules of capitalization. *Capitalization of Surnames French surnames (family names)  are often capitalized in their entirety, especially in bibliographies and administrative documents, like this: Gustave FLAUBERT Camara LAYE Jean de LA FONTAINE Antoine de SAINT-EXUPÉRY

Speech Valedictory Speech Essay - 936 Words

Valedictory Speech As we stand here today celebrating we are all united by a common thread. What could you or I possibly have in common with Mr MacMaster or Mrs Symes? We are all unique individuals! How appropriate that our College Mission Statement start with: â€Å"to celebrate the uniqueness of each individual.† My schooling at St Andrew started 13 years ago, as a Prep student. We were all a little ‘green’, similar to fragile seedlings of a fruit tree. This was our beginnings of formal education, where we absorbed a stimulus of creative learning. We were all little seedlings the same species but we were intrinsically different. Here we were matured, guided by not only our teachers but by the college as a whole. Gradually we grew into our uniforms and backpacks that once resembled a snails shell. Moving through junior school, we were juvenile but curious about the world around us and a need to understand it. Middle School continued to cultivate behaviours that strengthen our roots and branches. Here we soared to new heights with the introduction of subject selection and timetables, along with puberty. Just when we thought we held a secret weapon, they taught us about the evils of plagiarism. This is probably when most of our cohort experimented with ideas. Some with n ot the best outcomes and Mr Chris was forever pruning our egos and hormone levels to an acceptable level. But mistakes are blessing, right? We can learn from our mistakes by exploring otherShow MoreRelatedValedictory Speech1578 Words   |  7 PagesValedictory Speech Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work  to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be  written the history of this generation. Yes, ours would be a generation to remember, also to cherish. A very happy morning to one and all present here. The ability to grow from childishness to maturity, from perplexity to lucidity has been unwearingly nurtured and prudently inculcated by a significant number of peopleRead MoreVote of Thanks1637 Words   |  7 Pageswelcome speech and vote of thanks are some of the responsibilities bestowed on us if we work in an organisation. Alas! I am faced with the puzzle of how to give vote of thanks. Did you have to face this situation? Well, you need not panic. First and foremost, we need to understand that there is no vote of thanks template, be it a vote of thanks for farewell party or a vote of thanks for teachers day. But of course we need to keep in mind certain guidelines before preparing for a speech and presentationRead MoreReflection Of Illusion1635 Words   |  7 Pagesof Illusion I stare blankly at the blinking caret. Propped up snugly against three quilted pillows and one calculus textbook is my laptop. To be more specific, a laptop opened to an empty Microsoft Word document. Writing a speech is no easy task, but writing a valedictory address is like playing darts with spaghetti. Humbly accepting the position as the class valedictorian, I have been graced with the task of writing an excerpt that would fill my classmates’ hearts with both comfort and motivationRead MoreMartin Luther King975 Words   |  4 PagesThe month of May is set aside each year to celebrate African American History. When you think of Black History month, the first thing that we all think about is the historical speech, â€Å"I have a dream†. However, he did so much more than just present the speech that we all are familiar with had moral values that he stood for and was the leader of many civil right movements. This man is known as Martin Luther King. He was born on J anuary 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. Martin Jr.’s parents were ReverendRead MoreThe Narrator As An Invisible Man1305 Words   |  6 Pagesinvited to give his high school valedictory speech in front of leading white men in his community. When the Narrator arrives to give his speech, he is forced to participate in a boxing style competition, along with several other boys, for the entertainment of the white men in attendance. Invisible Man and the boys are then made to further humiliate themselves by having to grab coins off of an electrified rug. Once this is over, the Narrator is allowed to give his speech. The men love it until the NarratorRead MoreEssay on Dbq Anerican Revolution1205 Words   |  5 Pagesgave some power to the states. The Framers also added a Bill of Rights to dissuade Antifederalists that the new government gave too much power to the national government. This Bill of Rights protected American many civil liberties such as freedom of speech and assembly; ri ght to bear arms and a fair trial; as well as freedom of religion. Pre-Revolution, England had imposed its religion on the colonies, however, after the war, states began to guarantee freedom of worship as evidenced by the â€Å"StatutesRead MoreSlideshow Alley : Event Management Plan1674 Words   |  7 Pagesschool-wide event. Which will include planning, organization and staging of the event. Although students will be planning the event as a group, individual report will be required. Objectives The objectives of the event: †¢ To raise money for the Year 12 Valedictory †¢ Increase involvement and entertainment within the school †¢ To motivate students in BCT class particularly Year 12’s with direct experience of enterprise †¢ Develop skills related to creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation. Concept The typeRead MoreTo What Extent Did the American Revolution Fundamentally Change Politically, Socially, and Economically in America?884 Words   |  4 Pagesclothing for the American forces to utilize. Document J, a valedictory address by Molly Wallace from the Young Ladies’ Academy of Pennsylvania notifies us that friendly encouragement allowed herself to overcome apprehension due to sex, youth, and inexperience which will be an example that women can do anything they set their mind to and that if women are not denied the right to read, moreover they should not be denied the right to speak. Her speech increased discussion of educational opportunities forRead MoreGraduation by Maya Angelou Critique1386 Words   |  6 Pagesthat part of Arkansas† (Angelou 29). Angelou understands that Donleavy’s speech is a mere preliminary towards his election. After Donleavy finishes his speech, he leaves as quickly as he entered the auditorium. The remainder of graduation is lost in the unpleasantness that was left behind. Angelou claims that her own name has lost its meaning. Henry Reed delivers his valedictory address to the students. After his speech, he turns to the graduating class and leads them in singing the Negro nationalRead MoreRules And Requirements Of The Records Required From A Hui Meeting1499 Words   |  6 Pagesgreeting †¢ hui– any kind of gathering, including weddings, funerals and meetings †¢ iwi– tribe, people †¢ kai– food †¢ karanga- performed by women †¢ kawa– marae procedure †¢ koha– a gift of money, given by the manuhiri to the tangatawhenau †¢ korero – talk, speech, narrative †¢ maihi– barge boards of the meeting house, arms of ancestor †¢ mana– prestige †¢ manuhiri– visitos to the marae †¢ maoritanga– the Maori way of life †¢ marae– area of land in front of the meeting house or, more loosly, the area occupied by

African Music and Culture Creative Exploration Free Essays

African music is developed largely by the civilizations in sub-Saharan Africa. Their traditions give emphasis to singing. This is because songs are used as means of communication. We will write a custom essay sample on African Music and Culture Creative Exploration or any similar topic only for you Order Now Many languages in Africa are â€Å"tone languages†.   Pitch level identifies meanings. Meanwhile, melodies and tempo of their songs go after the intonation and rhythms of the text of the songs. In general, African songs are in form of call-and-response, as if they are really talking. This shows the relationship between the music and linguistic in sub-Saharan Africa. (Genesis 1996-2006) One major effect of the Arab conquest in North Africa is in religious aspect. Islam proliferated immediately in that part of the continent. They were calling Muhammed, along with their god’s name Allah, five times in a day from thousands of towers near the mosque, which are called minarets. These minarets were spread in North Africa, South-Western Europe, and Western and Central Asia. But in other parts of Africa, Islamization was quite a slow process. (Doi 1998) Africa is the birthplace of our habit of making music. The continent can be divided in five regions musically. North Africa has musical connection with the Arab and Islamic world. European colonization influenced music in West Africa. This region is known for classical and court music in sub-Saharan Africa. With their traditions, they preserved splendid musical heritage. (Africa 1996-2006) In Madagascar, generally, more metrical songs can be found on the coastline. Songs that are more soothing and slower are from the interior part of the place. In linguistics, it is quite mysterious. Their spoken language, Malagasy, is widely used in the country despite of the island’s large size and cultural diversity. In additional, Malagasy originated in Indonesia.   (WildMadagascar.org 2004-2006) After the resettlement of former African slaves, they got educational and job opportunities in urban areas. They engaged in cultural and scholarly activities. They had published some newspapers and journals. They excelled in this field later. Examples of these successful Africans are Paul Laurence Dunbar, a poet-novelist, and Claude McKay, a black poet and novelist who first attracted a large number of white audience. (AFRICANS-AMERICANS 2006) REFERENCES: Africa 2006. National Geographic Society 1996-2006 [cited September 9 2006]. Available from http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/region/content.region/africa_1 AFRICANS-AMERICANS 2006. The History Channel website 2006 [cited September 9 2006]. Available from http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=200351. Doi, Prof. A. Rahman I. 2006. Islam and Africa. Dr. A. Zahoor 1998 [cited September 8 2006]. Available from http://www.cyberistan.org/islamic/islafrica.htm Genesis, African. 2006. African People Culture africaguide.com 1996-2006 [cited September 8 2006]. Available from http://www.africaguide.com/culture/music.htm. WildMadagascar.org. 2006. Malagasy, the language of Madagascar Rhett Butler 2004-2006 [cited September 9 2006]. Available from http://www.wildmadagascar.org/people/malagasy.html    How to cite African Music and Culture Creative Exploration, Papers

USA and the illegal immigrants

Immigration reform causes a need for an issue-defining frame. There are problems that this frame defines. First, the US Government has failed to control its borders completely. Secondly, millions of people pass across the borders without granted permission just to make money in the US.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on USA and the illegal immigrants specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Finally, once they are inside, they sometimes forge documents to get work, going against the laws of labor and lying to employers who follow the labor laws (Lynch and Woodyard.). They end up taking jobs meant for the ordinary American citizens and the immigrants who got in legally. They also bear children who will have to be American citizens and be forced to use local services including schools and hospitals. However, the biggest issue is whether or not these illegal immigrants should receive social services such as Medicare, welfare, a nd food stamps (Skogan 168). Illegal immigrants who work hard to support themselves and their families prove to be better human beings and therefore should receive the social services. These issues concentrate entirely on the immigrants and the agencies responsible for overseeing immigration laws. Lakoff uses the strict father of a family model to demonstrate the issues of morality in politics. Freedom of action can be understood as freedom to move. Because of this, boundaries of morality are sometimes and more often seen as impediments of freedom (Lakoff 45). This implies that people who force their beliefs and values on other people are seen to impede their freedom. It is human nature to move freely in search of security and better life. Immigrants crossing the borders into US from other countries are uncomfortable with the nature of things happening in their country and they are in pursuit of a better life. Lakoff states that without incentives of punishment and reward to a child , important values such as self discipline would vanish. And to avoid this from happening, a sense of authority and competition must be exercised. He further says that competition is important in a moral world. Immigrants come to the US and take up labor jobs meant for low waged Americans and accept to be paid much lower wages so that they can make a living. They participate in tax payment. Their kids are in school in America. They plan to raise their families in America. And for the most part of their lives, they are swallowed in to the system in America (Skogan 175).Advertising Looking for essay on ethnicity studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Those who work hard to build the economy of America should be rewarded and not be denied necessary documents that would guarantee them their basic human rights such as being entitled to the services provided by both the local and federal government. However punishment should be up on those who do not want to work and constantly engage in unlawful activities such as drug dealing (Skogan 170). The overall authority has a responsibility to maintain order work for the benefit of those under their authority. Illegal workers are important components of America’s macro and micro economies. It is projected that the American labor force is aging fast and the working illegal immigrants play a critical role of replacing the ageing labor force at a lower cost (Lynch and Woodyard.). They should therefore be granted access to social services. Since most of the unauthorized workers contribute to tax revenues, they should also benefit from social services. Works Cited Lakoff, George. Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think. Chicago: The University of Chicago Pres, 2002. Print. Lynch, David and Chris Woodyard. â€Å"Immigrants claim key role.† USA TODAY 11 Apr. 2006. usatoday.com. Web. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/economy/2006-04-10-immigran ts-economic-impact_x.htm. Skogan, Wesley G. â€Å"Policing Immigrant community in the United States.† Sociology of crime LAw and Deviance (2009): 167-189. Print. This essay on USA and the illegal immigrants was written and submitted by user Joshua E. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Phaedrus First Flick †Theology Essay

Phaedrus First Flick – Theology Essay Free Online Research Papers Somewhere off in a strange world similar to our own, Ted Briggs and Phaedrus are offered a one-time chance meeting. They are to watch Jocelyn Moorhouse’s film Proof, enjoy the atmosphere of a completely empty theater, and walk together, speaking about whatever it is that comes to their minds. Unusual you say, perhaps, but no more time for haste, the movie has just ended†¦ Ted: Hello there friend, I am not sure that we have met, my name is Ted Briggs. Phaedrus: I am Phaedrus, and I do not recognize my surroundings, quite strange! Could you tell me what I have just witnessed? Ted: What you just witnessed? You just saw some crazy movie with Russell Crowe and that guy from the Matrix. Phaedrus: Matrix, I do not understand, what language am I speaking. Ted: Yes I know that it is strange, but due to our limited time here together I can only give you the abridged version. That was a motion picture and although I know that you were quite taken aback by it, they are not new, nor are they small in number. In fact, you would be amazed at how many have been made that have just been garbage. Anyway, I also know that Greek is a little more familiar to you but somebody more powerful than us has had their way so for the time being and so that I can understand you, we are speaking English. After that it gets really complicated so just don’t ask any more questions. Phaedrus: Fair enough I suppose, may I inquire as to why your leg is damaged as so? Ted: An injury, incurred in battle, you know war. Phaedrus: Yes, war is a term that is common in any language. Ted: No big deal really, I have learned to live accordingly, but enough about me, how about you, I hear that you are an intellectual. Phaedrus: Oh yes, more of a self proclaimed philosopher I would say. Ted: Philosophy, I see, well what did you think of the film that we just saw? Phaedrus: That was beautiful, yet it was sad, it really made no sense to me, why would Martin act as he did? Ted: Martin, what did he do? If anything could be said it would be that Andy let himself get caught up with his desires. Phaedrus: Those are foolish desires; they mean next to nothing, it was for pleasures sake only, nothing more. Ted: Oh I bet there was more, if you know what I mean, it just doesn’t happen once, not with a woman like Celia, it will only be more and more. Phaedrus: But that is not important, not at all, Martin is the loser here. Celia shall lose as well, but not as badly as Martin. Ted: Sure Martin’s losing, but Celia, I think that she did all right for herself, for she got what she wanted. Phaedrus: She did not get what she wanted. And because of that very fact Martin shall never get what she was giving. Ted: Why all the talk about Martin, he has his chance, he passed on it and Andy stepped right in, a shame really if you ask me. Martin seemed like a nice guy but didn’t come across as being that social, he should have been grateful for what he could get. Phaedrus: You perplex me with this talk of what one can get, as if the physical involvement with someone is the most important thing to have. I see no reason for your emphasis upon it. Ted: No reason, have you ever had it, or even felt it, that feeling inside, when you are in a state of total bliss, time stands still, you forget who you are, where you are and for just one moment you feel like the only two people in existence. Phaedrus: Yes, love, exactly what I am saying, know you are beginning to make sense. Ted: Love, no, no, not love, Sex, you know, sex, the act of coitus, two people throwing inhibitions aside and indulging in the ultimate act of affection. Phaedrus: No I do not understand, love is the ultimate goal, it is love to which I am referring. Love is what Celia was offering Martin. Martin felt it, perhaps he was unaware of what it was or how it felt, but he knew deep down that he was the loved one and that Celia was the lover. That she felt strong enough to do anything, even things she would not normally do in order to express her love. Martin simply pushed it away; he shunned the very thing that would bring him happiness, and virtue and all of the best in life. Ted: I just think that he pushed away any chance of getting laid, and for that I brand him a fool, it’s not everyday somebody gets an offer like that. Phaedrus: Why such a dependence upon the physical and not the emotional. I presume that you are afraid of it as well, is that right Ted? Have you ever been in love? Ted: In love, of course, tons of times, I have been in love more times than I can remember. Phaedrus: More times than you can remember, I have never heard of such audacity. No one can be in love as often as that. Were you in love, true love? Ted: What the hell does that mean, true love? I don’t know, so I slept with some women, and then I talked with them and I spent time with them, they made me happy for a while, but it never lasted long. Maybe it was just me, I don’t know. Phaedrus: Love is not that, love is the most beautiful of all the gods. To be in love, and to be the loved one, to know that you would do anything for the affection of that one person, that they would do the same for you, they would give their life to be with you or to honor the way they felt. The act in which all good things follow, that is love Ted, nothing more and certainly nothing less. That is what that film was about. Martin did not know how to handle Celia’s love, perhaps he was afraid of it, and so it removed it from his life. As for Andy, he did not receive Celia’s love, for it had been growing in her for Martin, not him. Andy was the recipient of the outlet of Celia’s frustration with Martin and his rejection of her love. Ted: That thought never crossed my mind, I just thought it odd that he turned her away when he knew that she was all over him, he didn’t have to see to know that. Phaedrus: Not lust Ted, love, and the one thing that the gods truly intended for us all. The beautiful way that two people know each other and find harmony through one another. Find it Ted, if you haven’t yet. Only that love, that feeling will make you happy. Ted: I wish it were that easy, to open up your door one day and find that someone. Yet I haven’t been looking, maybe I have never looked. Phaedrus: I am afraid that I must be on my way; I must head back on the path that brought me here. To you Ted I bid you farewell and I wish you luck and happiness and I encourage you to look beyond your ambitions to find the one thing that you lack. Ted: Goodbye and thank you for some of that philosophy. I used to only think of it as useless chatter. Ted: Yeah, a philosophy, maybe that is what I need, a philosophy. I need love. I need a wife. Research Papers on Phaedrus’ First Flick - Theology EssayWhere Wild and West MeetQuebec and CanadaComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoMind TravelBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm X19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementCapital PunishmentAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeEffects of Television Violence on Children

The Life of Madame de Pompadour, Royal Mistress and Advisor

The Life of Madame de Pompadour, Royal Mistress and Advisor Madame de Pompadour (December 29, 1721–April 15, 1764) was a French noblewoman and one of Louis XV’s primary mistresses. Even after her time as the king’s mistress came to an end, the Madame de Pompadour remained an influential friend and advisor to the king, especially as a patron of arts and philosophy. Fast Facts: Madame de Pompadour Known For: Beloved mistress of King Louis XV who became an unofficial advisor to the king and an influential leader of the artsFull Name: Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de PompadourAlso Known As: ReinetteBorn: December 29, 1721 in Paris, FranceDied: April 15, 1764 in Paris, FranceSpouse: Charles Guillaume Le Normant dÉtiolles (m. 1741; separated 1745)Children: Charles Guillaume Louis (1741-1742), Alexandrine Jeanne (1744-1754) Early Life: The Reinette Jeanne Antoinette was the daughter of Francois Poisson and his wife Madeline de la Motte. Although Poisson was her legal father and the husband of her mother, it is more likely that Jeanne’s biological father was Charles Franà §ois Paul Le Normant de Tournehem, a wealthy tax collector. When Jeanne Antoinette was four, Francois Poisson had to leave the country due to unpaid debts, and Tournehem became her legal guardian, thus giving even more credence to the rumors that he was her real father. Like many girls from families of means, Jeanne Antoinette was sent to be educated at a convent when she reached the age of five. The education was excellent, and she proved to be a popular student. However, she became ill and returned home four years later. Her mother took her to a fortuneteller, who predicted that Jeanne Antoinette would win the heart of a king. From that point on, those closest to her began calling her â€Å"Reinette† (a diminutive, or nickname, meaning â€Å"little queen†). She was educated at home by the best tutors. Tournehem arranged for her instruction in all the subjects deemed necessary for a woman’s education, in order that she might one day attract the interest of the king. Wife and Socialite In 1740, Jeanne Antoinette married Charles Guillaume Le Normant dÉtiolles, the nephew of her guardian Tournehem. Upon their marriage, Tournehem made Charles his sole heir and gave Jeanne Antoinette an estate (one situated near the royal hunting grounds) as a wedding gift. The young couple were only four years apart in age, and they did fall in love with each other. Jeanne Antoinette promised she would never be unfaithful- except for the king. They had two children: a son who died as an infant, and a daughter, Alexandrine, who died at the age of nine in 1753. As a stylish young married woman, Jeanne Antoinette spent time at many of the elite salons in Paris. She encountered many of the figures of the Enlightenment and, in time, began hosting her own salons at her Étiolles estate, which also attracted many leading figures of the day. Educated and curious, she became a notable and witty conversationalist in the company of these people. By 1744, Jeanne Antoinettes name was being mentioned at court, attracting the attention of Louis XV. Her estate was adjacent to the king’s hunting grounds in the forest of Sà ©nart, so she was permitted to watch the royal party from a distance. To get the king’s attention, however, she rode directly in front of his group- not once, but twice. The king took notice and sent her a gift of venison from the hunt. The king’s official mistress died in December 1744, leaving the position vacant, and Jeanne Antoinette was invited to Versailles to the masked ball celebrating the engagement of the Dauphin. At the ball, Louis publicly unmasked and declared his affection for Jeanne Antoinette. Becoming the Royal Mistress In order to be properly introduced at court, Jeanne Antoinette had to have a title. The king solved this by purchasing the marquisate of Pompadour and giving it to her, making her the Marquise de Pompadour. She became the king’s official mistress, living at Versailles in apartments near his, and was formally presented to the court in September 1745. Notably, she got along quite well with the queen consort, Marie LeszczyÅ„ska, and worked to have a good relationship with the royal family overall. Madame de Pompadour was more than just a mistress. Louis XV respected her intelligence and understanding of social nuance, and as a result, she functioned as an unofficial prime minister and advisor. She supported the First Treaty of Versailles, which created an alliance between former rivals France and Austria, and rallied support behind government ministers whose fiscal reforms helped France become one of the world’s wealthiest countries. Madame de Pompadours influence was not limited to the political sphere. Building on her years in the Paris salons, she championed scientific, economic, and philosophical exploration as well. Her patronage protected the growing theory of physiocracy (an economic theory that emphasized the value of agriculture) and defended the Encyclopà ©die, a fundamental text of the Enlightenment that was opposed by religious figures. Her activities and her common birth earned her enemies and made her the subject of malicious gossip, but her relationship with Louis and the royal family remained mostly unaffected. The King’s Friend and Advisor By 1750, Pompadour ceased being Louis’s mistress, in large part due to her many health problems, including recurring bronchitis, three miscarriages, and chronic headaches. Nevertheless, she maintained her influential position, since their relationship had become much more than just a sexual one. The king did not take a new official â€Å"favorite,† but instead installed a succession of temporary mistresses at a chateau away from court. According to most reports, his heart and loyalty remained with Pompadour. During this era, Pompadour turned her patronage to the arts, which she used to announce her loyalty to the king (through commissions honoring him) and to cultivate her own image. In 1759, she purchased a porcelain factory, which created many jobs and ultimately become one of the most famous porcelain makers in all of Europe. Pompadour herself learned to engrave under the tutelage of Jacques Guay and Francois Boucher, and she was a significant influence in the development of Rococo style. It is likely that she contributed a fair amount to the work of the artists under her patronage. In fact, some historians consider her an actual collaborator on many works. Death and Legacy Madame de Pompadours poor health eventually caught up to her. In 1764, she suffered from tuberculosis, and Louis himself cared for her during her illness. She died on April 15, 1764 at the age of 42, and was buried at the Couvent des Capucines in Paris. Because of her influence on French society and her unusual advisory role to the king, the Madame de Pompadours legacy has endured in pop culture, from the publication of biographies to an episode of Doctor Who to the naming of a particular diamond cut. Sources Algrant, Christine Pevitt.  Madame de Pompadour Mistree of France. New York: Grove Press, 2002.Eschner, Kat. â€Å"Madame de Pompadour Was Far More Than a ‘Mistress’.† Smithsonian, 29 December 2017, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/madame-de-pompadour-was-far-more-mistress-180967662/.Foreman, Amanda, and Nancy Mitford. Madame de Pompadour. New York Review of Books, 2001.Mitford, Nancy. â€Å"Jeanne-Antoinette Poission, marquise de Pompadour.† Encyclopaedia Brittanica, 25 Dec. 2018, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jeanne-Antoinette-Poisson-marquise-de-Pompadour.